International Sustainability Academy (ISA)’s Post

💡 **A Fun Cultural Lesson from Germany!** Here's a mistake almost every international student (myself included!) makes when they first arrive in Germany: **ordering water.** In Germany, when you ask for "water" at a restaurant or cafe, you'll almost always be served **sparkling water** – which can come as a surprise if you're expecting still water. It's easy to forget, but in Germany, **sparkling water is the default**! So, here's a quick tip: if you prefer still water, make sure to specifically ask for "stilles Wasser." Otherwise, you might get an unexpected fizz with your meal! It's these small cultural quirks that make living abroad an interesting experience. 😄 #LifeInGermany #CulturalDifferences #InternationalStudents #ExpatLife #LivingAbroad #GermanyLife

What is in your backpack? I recently embarked on a transformative 3-day tour at Ikara-Flinders Ranges, organized by the Australia Awards South Asia and Mongolia team. This journey wasn't just about exploring stunning landscapes; it was a deep dive into cultural reflection and sensory experiences. At the Welcome to Country ceremony, our insightful guide John posed a thought-provoking question: "What is in your backpack?" This encouraged us to reflect on the values we carry when entering new cultures. As a blind Australia Award scholar, this reflection held special significance. The tour offered a sensory-rich experience, where I perceived the world through the vivid descriptions of my fellow scholars. From the start, we were immersed in understanding the Aboriginal culture and their deep connection to the land and traditions. The serene landscapes, the rustling of leaves, the feel of the cool breeze, and the warmth of the sun on my skin were all brought to life through John's stories and teachings. This journey was a powerful reminder of the importance of sensory experiences and the unique ways we can appreciate and connect with the world around us. John's question, "What is in your backpack?" resonated with me on a profound level. It made me realize the significance of carrying qualities like openness, curiosity, respect, and empathy. These are the attributes that enable us to truly connect with and understand different cultures. As I continue my journey as a scholar, I am reminded of the value of these qualities. They enrich our experiences and allow us to form meaningful connections with others. This trip to Ikara-Flinders Ranges was not just a journey through breathtaking landscapes but a journey within—a reminder to pack my backpack with the values that matter most. So, I ask you: What is in your backpack? What qualities and values do you carry with you as you step into new experiences and cultures? #CulturalExchange #WelcomeToCountry #IkaraFlindersRanges #WilpenaPound #AustraliaAwards #DiversityAndInclusion #Forgiveness #ReflectAndGrow #SensoryRichExperience #AdnyamathanhaCulture #RespectAndUnity #LearningJourney #BlindScholar #CulturalRespect #AustraliaTour

Let's start the week with a fresh perspective! Check out our RJ Definition of the Week: Denmark! Discover how different cultures embrace restorative practices. What are your thoughts on this one?! #RestorativeJustice #RJ #Denmark #Restorativ

✨ 9 COMPELLING REASONS TO STUDY IN ITALY ✨ From world-renowned cuisine to rich cultural heritage, Italy offers so much more than just education. 🍝🎨 Discover the top 9 reasons why studying in Italy is an unforgettable experience! 🌟 Ready to embark on your Italian journey? Contact Big Brain today for expert guidance and start planning your study abroad adventure! 📚 #StudyInItaly #ItalianExperience #BigBrainConsultancy

My First Culture Shock in Germany: A Woman Requesting a Hotel Room for Her Parents. 10 years ago, after completing my German language courses, I started an internship at a hotel in Berlin to improve my language skills and gain more work experience before starting my master's studies. One day, a woman came to the reception and asked for a hotel room reservation for her parents. She mentioned that she lived in Berlin, her parents were visiting, and they would be staying at the hotel. Coming from Azerbaijan, I was initially surprised by this request. In my culture, we would never ask our parents to stay in a hotel, no matter how small our apartment might be. We would always find a way to accommodate them comfortably in our own home. Asking close family members to stay in a hotel could even be considered offensive 😳 This incident opened my eyes to the cultural differences between Germany and my home country. In Germany, it is more common for people to prioritize their personal comfort and convenience, even if it means making different arrangements for family members. This is not necessarily a negative thing, as it reflects the value placed on individual autonomy and personal space in German society. However, I still value the strong focus on family unity and shared living spaces deeply ingrained in Azerbaijani culture. The idea of accommodating close family members, even if it means some adjustments, reflects the importance we place on collective well-being and the strength of family bonds. What do you think? Would you ask your parents to stay in a hotel when they visit, or would you find a way to fit everyone together in your own apartment? Share your thoughts in the comments below. - - - - - I’m Aydan, a mentor, coach & speaker🎙️ Guiding Foreign Professionals to Success in Germany 🇩🇪 I’m available for private consultations—contact me to schedule one 🤝🏼 📩 DM / InMail or Email to aydanbaghirova.j@gmail.com #CulturalDiversity #FamilyValues #CulturalShocks #Azerbaijan #Germany #Hospitality #Expats

I wrote this article few years ago about our experiences living abroad.

My mission as a tour guide in Japan: Sharing the beauty of rural Oasa and teaching the value of diversity, a lesson I learned during my years in the U.S. https://lnkd.in/dPYP4k3x

At Federation EIL, we're all about living the intercultural exchange experience to the fullest! 🌍✨ We've put together this reel, second part packed with 5 tips to help you develop the mindset of an experimenter—someone ready to dive into new cultures with curiosity and openness. Antonio Rivas González says: These aren't just theories; they’re practical, fun, and designed to make your adventure abroad truly transformative. Watch, learn, and get inspired to connect genuinely with the world! 🌐💫 1. Participate in Cultural Workshops: Join virtual workshops 🎨 or local community events that focus on cultural traditions, such as cooking classes, craft sessions, dance workshops, or language lessons. Share your experiences 📸 explaining what you learned and how it enriched your understanding of another culture. 2. Support Local Artisans: 🌍 Create a series of posts or stories that profile local artisans from different cultures. Share their backgrounds, the significance of their crafts, and where people can purchase their products. Do not forget to support them buying their creations, products. Highlight the importance of supporting local artisans for cultural preservation and economic empowerment. 3. Ecofriendly Travel: 🌱 Share informative posts about eco-friendly travel practices, such as reducing plastic use, supporting sustainable tourism businesses, and respecting local wildlife and ecosystems. 🌍 Feature destinations that are known for their sustainable practices and cultural heritage preservation. 4. Share Your Stories: 🌍Share personal stories and reflections about your experiences with different cultures. Include memorable interactions, lessons learned, and how these experiences have shaped your worldview. 5. Reflect and Connect: 🌟 Post weekly reflections from participants, staff, or cultural experts. These reflections can discuss intercultural experiences, lessons learned, and the importance of global citizenship. Want to kickstart your intercultural journey? 🌍✨ Comment "Part 1" below, and we'll send you the link to our first reel with 10 practical tips to embrace the experimenter attitude! Don't miss out—start your adventure now! 🌐💫 #Globalcitizen #Internationalstudents

Why everyone should live abroad at least for a while? Past few years I have lived abroad in different countries and it has given me a huge amount of knowledge, connections and new experiences. If someone would have said to me a decade ago that this year I will be eating cuisines from all over the world surrounded with people coming from everywhere but Europe discussing topics like politics of Brazil, culture of Japan and social security in the US, I would have probably laughed and said that I don’t know anyone like that and that I know nothing about those topics! But here I am, realizing that I have connections from all the continents, and that I actually know quite a bit about all those topics and more, and realizing I know how to cook foods from all over the world. Wanna have some Brazilian hot dogs, Taiwanese dumplings or Japanese yakiniku? I can make it. And oh, somehow I have also become more fluent in Japanese than German. However, living abroad is not all about being able to brag about foods you have eaten or languages you have used. It is about perspective. Understanding not only one way of doing things but multiple and being able to understand pros and cons of different systems and forming your own opinions based on knowledge, experience and perspective. For example, people tend to complain about things like taxes and weather, but if you have knowledge from only one system it can be hard to understand what those taxes give you and what alternatives there are. Or if you have never lived near equator with those humid hot days be careful what you wish for when you complain about the freezing cold winter days - and vice versa. Have you ever lived abroad? If yes, did your perspective on some things change? — FIN: Miksi jokaisen pitäisi asua vähintään hetki ulkomailla? Ulkomailla asuminen opettaa paljon - kieliä, kulttuuria, ruokia, ja ennen kaikkea perspektiiviä. Perspektiivi auttaa sinua ymmärtämään eri vaihtoehtoja ja niiden hyviä sekä huonoja puolia laajasti, olipa kyse sitten verotuksesta tai optimaalisista sääoloista elämällesi. Oletko sinä asunut ulkomailla? Jos kyllä, muuttuiko perspektiivisi johonkin asiaan sen myötä? #Perspective #LivingAbroad #Expat

【Gratitude Friday】 Every Friday we share gratitude with colleagues, partners, stakeholders, supporters and superheroes that inspire our work and make us wanna keep doing what we do. 🗣 After the end of our FATE - Study Visit, we’d like to write a few lines to express our heartfelt gratitude to Tastes of Damascus: 🌀 Thank you Tastes of Damascus for making a difference and being a place with purpose! Their agenda is not only about serving healthy vegetarian dishes and being an eco-friendly restaurant. This initiative by Zaatar NGO also provides job training and opportunities for asylum-seekers and refugees. Through their Restaurant Training program, participants receive basic training in making all the most common dishes in both Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. 🥗🍴 ▶︎ We're grateful that places like Tastes of Damascus exist and encourage everyone that hasn't visited to encounter an holistic Athens experience by trying their delicious lemonade and the best falafel in town! 🧆 🇪🇺 The project FATE is co-financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program, allowing us to join forces with our partner organisations to create an inclusive and creative environment: Active Rainbow 🇱🇻 | Fundacja Po Prostu Da Się 🇵🇱 | Roes Cooperativa 🇬🇷 #WeAreRoes #RoesCoop #WhatsYourStream #SocialEntreprise #NonFormalEducation   #exchangeofgoodpractices #ErasmusPlus #ErasmusKA2 #StudyVisit #projectdiary #FATEKA2